1st stage: Sensing system

1-1Disruption of temperature sensitive liposomes

Purpose

In our project, we planned to use liposomes conjugated with NIPAM polymer as a chain reaction initiator. NIPAM (poly-N-isopropyl acrylamide) is a temperature sensitive molecule that has a unique critical temperature (Tc: 32~40˚C ).
When the temperature increased over than Tc, the hydrophilic polymer changes its property hydrophobic. It is expected that the change should disrupt the membrane lipid alignment. Here we confirm that the possibility of breaking liposomes with NIPAM by increasing temperature.
NIPAM was purchesed from Sigma Aldrich

Method

The liposomes were prepared by natural swelling method. Obtained sample included a mixture of unilamellar and multilamellar liposomes.
Then we added NIPAM-conjugated lipids (dissolved in ultra pure water (Milli-Q)) to the liposomes solution.
The liposomes were observed on the slide glass by phase-contrast microscopy.
After confirming the formation of the liposomes, a petri dish with hot water (~90˚C) was put on the sample slide glass to increase the temperature.
Detailed ProtocolProtocol

Result

Fig.1 Phase contrast images of liposomes in NIPAM solution. Temperature increased from RT to enough over than Tc (left to right).

Fig.1 shows the continuous images before and after the temperature increase. The view sight was the same position.
NIPAM polymer turned into globular states with increasing temperature. Liposomes disappeared by increasing temperature (> Tc).

Discussion

Thermosensitive polymer NIPAM can disrupt the coexisting liposomes by the polymers phase transition.
On the other hand, some liposomes still present even at the high temperature. In this experiment, some fractions were multi-lamellar liposomes. Since globular states of NIPAM (hydrophobic) at high temperature attack the liposome membrane from the outside, it is not surprising that the multi-lamellar liposomes consist of many lipid bilayers are more difficult to disrupt. Therefore, we suppose that liposomes disrupted by temperature shift in Fig.1 were uni-lamella ones. These results confirmed that triggering by heat disrupted the liposomes.

2nd stage: Amplification system

2-1 DNA Origami approach

2-1-1 Making DNA Origami

Purpose

In our project, to use DNA Origami as the Key DNA to break liposomes, we design the rectangular DNA Origami with a chipped edge.

Method

Mixing M13mp18, staples, 5xTAE Mg2+, and mQ in a microtube and annealing for 2.5 hours.Protocol

Result

We obtain DNA Origami same as our design. The result was confirmed by AFM (Atomic Force Microscope.)
Fig.2 AFM image of DNA Origami (M13: 4nM, staples:20nM)

Discussion

As shown in Fig. 2, DNA Origami was well-formed.

2-1-2 Labeling DNA Origami with fluorescent-tagged DNA

Purpose

Since it is much easier to observe the fluorescent effect of DNA Origami on liposomes, we labeled our Origami by hybridizing with the fluorescent-tagged DNA strand.

Method

Our DNA Origami is composed of many staples that can bind to fluorescent-tagged DNA for labeling. We mixed fluorescent-tagged DNA together with DNA Origami staples in the last annealing solution.
In addition, to observe the binding of Origami staples and fluorescent-tagged DNAs faster, we added the fluorescent-tagged DNA into the control annealing solution, which had contained no fluorescent-tagged DNA, and left it for 40 minutes.
To confirm the Origami was well-labeled with fluorescent molecules, we used gel-electrophoresis.
Gel-electrophoresis was conducted with a 1% Agarose gel, CV100V for 50 minutes.

By scanning a gel before staining, we can see only the bands of DNA structures with fluorescent molecules. While scanning a gel after staining, we can see the bands of all DNA structures. So we scanned a gel before and after staining (we scanned both a non-stained and a stained gel).
First we saw the bands of our Origami in a non-stained gel. Then, we compared the bands with those in a stained gel. If the bands of Origami in a non-stained gel were at the same height as that in a stained gel, we can say that our Origami was successfully fluorescently labeled.Protocol

Result

In a non-stained gel (Fig.3), only bands in lane 3 and 4 from the left (*Ori, **Ori) can be seen, that are fluorescently labeled structures. In addition, as we got the same result, 40 minutes is long enough for fluorescently labeling.

For the stained gel (Fig.4), lane 1 is a DNA marker. Comparing the band of M13mp18 (lane 2) with annealed DNA Origami (lane 3,4,5), the bands of the Origami are at the higher position. Thus, we concluded that DNA Origami structure in lane 3~5, was made as we had expected.
We considered that the bands in lane 3~5 are diffused since our Origami has many staples binding to the fluorescent-tagged DNA, and each Origami attaches to different number of them. Thus its molecular weight varies.
Fig.4 Stained gel image: from the left, marker, M13mp18, Ori*, Ori**, and DNA Origami with no fluorescent molecule (Ori)

Discussion

From the results shown in Fig. 3 and 4, the fluorescently labeled bands in 3rd and 4th lanes in Fig.3 are at the same height as those of DNA Origami in Fig.4. Thus, we concluded our Origami was successfully fluorescently labeled.

2-1-3 Disrupting liposomes by DNA Origami (microscopic analysis)

Purpose

To break liposomes with our Origami, first we investigate how our DNA Origami affect liposomes.

Principle

To break liposomes with our Origami, a lot of Origami has to hybridize to the surface of the liposomes.
To begin with, we added cholesterol-conjugated single-stranded DNA (in the rest of this document, referred to as Origami-anchor DNA) into liposomes, and made it float on the surface. The Origami-anchor DNA has a complementary part to our Origami, so the Origami is expected to hybridize to Origami-anchor DNA on the liposomes. In this way, lots of Origami would hybridize to liposomes via Origami-anchor DNA.

Method

We added Origami-anchor DNA into liposomes at the final concentration of 0.018, 0.069, 1.8, and 6.9µM. Then we observed the samples with a phase microscope.
Next, adding fluorescently labeled DNA Origami into the above liposomes, we saw if some change would happen with a fluorescent microscope.Protocol

Result

In all four conditions, liposomes were observed with a phase microscope. We confirmed the formation of multi-lamella liposomes (Fig.5~8).
Fig.5 Phase microscope image of liposomes (Origami-anchor DNA: 0.018µM)

Fig.7 Phase microscope image of liposomes (Origami-anchor DNA: 1.8µM)

Fig.8 Phase microscope image of liposomes (Orgami-anchor DNA: 6.9µM)

Adding fluorescently labeled DNA Origami into the above liposomes, we saw if some change would happen with a fluorescent microscope.
When the concentration of Origami-anchor DNA was 0.018, 0.069µM, many gleaming (in green color) liposomes were observed. We confirmed that the fluorescently labeled Origami well hybridized to the liposomal surface (Fig.9,10,11).

On the other hand, when the concentration of Origami-anchor DNA was 1.8µM, few gleaming liposomes could be seen with a fluorescent microscope (Fig.12). This result indicates the possibility that liposomes have broken.
Fig.12 fluorescent microscope image of liposomes (Origami-anchor DNA: 1.8µM)

Discussion

From these results, we put forward the following hypothesis about the interaction of DNA Origami and liposomes.
When the concentration of Origami-anchor DNA is low (0.018, 0.069µM), DNA Origami hybridizes to the surface of liposomes relatively stablely. When the concentration is middle (1.8µM), more DNA Origami hybridizes to the surface and loads on it. The liposomes become fragile and easy to break. When the concentration is high (6.9µM), some liposomes exist individually, and others form networks via Origami-anchor DNA and DNA Origami complex.

According to this hypothesis, when the concentration of Origami-anchor DNA is 1.8µM, DNA Origami breaks liposomes.

2-1-4 Disrupting liposomes by DNA Origami (quantitative analysis)

Purpose

As DNA Origami is likely to have disrupted liposomes in 2-1-3 microscopic analysis, we investigate how our DNA Origami affects liposomes quantitatively.
We make phase-separatied liposomes made of DOPC, DPPC, DOPE and cholesterol.
Phase-separated liposomes are liposomes consisting of several kinds of lipids. It has less fluidity and its membranee is more stiff than normal liposomes.
Due to the above reasons, we consider that phase-separated liposomes are more suitable to be disrupted. Thus, this time, we used phase-separated liposomes.

Result

As figure below, we was able to observe liposomes containing GFP, by the confocal microscope.
共焦点顕微鏡によって観察したGFP入りのリポソームは下図のようになり、リポソームが確認できた。
（共焦点の図）
The abscissa of the following graph is the fluorescence intensity of only liposomes, and the ordinate represents the number of liposomes.
以下のグラフの横軸はリポソームのみの蛍光強度、縦軸はリポソームの個数を表している。

Fig.1 Adding nothing(Sample1)

Fig.2 Adding Surfactant(Sample2)

Fig.3 Adding KeyDNA(Sample3)

Figure 1 shows that liposomes having high fluorescence intensity have a wide distribution.
グラフ1は蛍光強度が高いリポソームの分布が多い。
Figure 2 shows the result of liposomes including Origami-anchor DNA and DNA origami. Fluorescence intensity was not detected at all.
グラフ２はオリガミアンカーDNAとDNAオリガミをくわえたものである。蛍光強度がまったく観測されなかった。
Figure 3 a surfactant shows that liposomes with positive-control surfactant have almost no fluorescence intensity.
グラフ３はポジティブコントロールの界面活性剤を加えたものである。こちらも蛍光強度がまったく観測されなかった。

Discussion

Figure 1 indicates the distribution map when liposomes surely exist. Figure 3 shows the distribution as liposomes surely do not exist. Figure 2 is similar to Figure 3. Therefore, it is supposed that liposomes are broken in Figure 2. Judging from this experiment, Origami DNA can disrupt liposomes.
グラフ1はリポソームが確実にあるときの分布、グラフ３は界面活性剤によりほぼ確実にリポソームないときの分布である。グラフ2はグラフ３と似ている。そのためグラフ２ではリポソームが割れていると考えられる。本実験によりDNAオリガミによってリポソームが破壊できたと考えられる。

2-1-5 Confirming sequence specificity of DNA

Purpose

IWe confirm the selectivity of Key DNAs to the anchor DNA. We compare the effect of the complementary Key DNA and the no-binding Key DNA.

Result

The results are shown in figures XXXX.

Fig.1 Sample1(complement)

Fig.2 Sample2(No binding pair)

Fig.3 Adding Complementary key DNA

Fig.4 Adding no binding Key DNA

In the sample1, Origami-anchor DNA and Key DNA are complementary each other. In the sample B, the Key DNA has a different sequence that does not hybridize with anchor DNA. The X axis in the figures shows fluorescent intensity. Y axis indicate the number of count. High fluorescence (>100) means liposome with GFP, low fluorescence means that GFP inside liposomes were leaked. The non-binding key DNA does not affect liposome with anchor DNA. On the other hands, the complement key DNA disrupt liposomes.

Discussion

These results demonstrated the selectivity of the Key DNA. This selectivity will be used to control the order to disrupt target liposomes.

2-2 Flower DNA approach

（SPRコメントアウトしておきます）

2-2-1フラワーミセルによりリポソームを破壊する実験

Purpose

In Flower DNA approach, Key DNA should attach to Flower-anchor DNA on liposomes and break them. This experiment is conducted for the confirmation of it.
フラワーミセルアプローチでは鍵DNAがリポソーム表面に生えているフラワーアンカーDNAにハイブリしてリポソームが割れる必要がある。それを確かめるために本実験を行った。

Method

We made phase-separated liposomes (DOPC: DPPC: cholesterol= 1: 1: 1) with rhodamine dye inside by water-in-oil emulsion process. Then flower-anchor DNA (stained with SYBR Gold) was added into the liposomes.
Next, we added Key DNA into the liposomes. The liposomes were observed in a chamber on a slide glass with a fluorescent microscope.
内部溶液をTXR-デキストランで染色した相分離リポソーム(DOPC:DPPC:cholesterol=1:1:1)を界面通過法により作製して、リポソームにサイバーゴールドで染色したフラワーアンカーDNAを加えて、そのあとキーDNAを加えた。チャンバーinスライドガラスを使って位相差顕微鏡で観察した。Protocol

Result

We observed shrunk liposomes by red filter. When we observed them by green filter, Flower-anchor DNA (dyed with SYBR Gold) was bright. There was green fluorescence around shrunk liposomes.
蛍光顕微鏡（赤 波長後で聞く）で観察したところ、リポソームが縮んでいる様子が観察された。波長を？？（緑）に変更するとサイバーゴールドで染色されたフラワーアンカーDNAが光る。縮んだリポソームの周りが緑に発光しているのを確認できた。
We observed the contact surface of Key DNA and liposomes. The right side of the boundary is Key DNA and the left side of it is liposome. There are something bright like a network on the boundary.
チャンバーを使って観察したのでトリガー溶液とリポソーム溶液が混合している様子を観察した。上図のさかい目の右側がトリガー溶液、左側がリポソーム溶液である。両者の境目で発光するネットワークのようなものが確認できた。
When magnifying the network, we observed liposomes undyed with Texas-Red dextran. As we observed them by green filter, liposomes were dyed green.
境目のネットワークの部分を拡大すると中がデキストリンTXR（赤）で染色されていないリポソームが確認できた。波長を緑に変えるとリポソームの周りが緑に染色されていた。

Discussion

As liposomes in Figure ? were shrunk, Flower-anchor DNA probably broke liposomes.
The network on the boundary in Figure ? may have been the wreck of liposomes (, because only Flower-anchor DNA is dyed green).
We suppose that liposomes in Figure ? were undyed, because liposome membrane partly broke and the inside fluorescence had leaked.
1段目リポソームが縮んだのでフラワーによるリポソーム破壊が起こっている可能性がある
2段目境目のネットワーク構造はリポソームが割れた残骸かもしれない。（緑に光るのはフラワーアンカーDNAのみであるため）
3段目なかが染色されていないリポソームは膜の一部が割れて内部の蛍光が漏れたものではないかと考えられる。